Joseph Joe Zulpo

Joseph “Joe” Zulpo passed away March 2, 2017 in St. James, Missouri.  He was 96.  Joe was born in Rosati, Missouri on March 21, 1920 to Louis Zulpo and Mary (Vitali) Zulpo.  Joe’s father was one of the first Italians to settle in Rosati and plant one of the first vineyards there. 

Joe was inducted into the United States Army on January 28, 1942 and served until October 15, 1945.  He was part of the 610th Tank Destroyer Battalion and was involved in the Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe campaigns.  He was awarded four Bronze Stars and a Good Conduct Medal.

On July 13, 1946 in Rosati, Joe married his childhood sweetheart, Corrine Donati,  They had three boys.  Joe took over the family farm from his father and also worked with Ben Piazza, drilling wells after the war.  He also worked at the Skelgas bottling plant in Rosati during the winter months, but his love was his grapes and his cows.  He had about 17 acres of grapes for many of the years that he was under contract with Welch Foods.  Joe was a lifelong member of St. Anthony Church in Rosati and was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Surviving Joe are two sons, Joseph and Steven; one grandson, Matt and two great grandchildren.  Surviving also is one sister, Josephine Marcus.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Corrine and son, Marion.  Also preceding him were four sisters and three brothers.

Joseph Zulpo will lie in state 5-8 p.m. Sunday March 5th, 2017 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Rosati at 10 am Monday March 6th 2017. Burial with full military honors will be at the St Anthony Catholic Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Michael Donati, Michael Marcus, Dennis Marcus, Ron Zulpo, Matt Zulpo and Dylan Zulpo.

Memorials are suggest to the St. Anthony Church Cemetery, cards are available at the Jones Funeral Home.

All arrangments are under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri.

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